CAMPAIGNERS who hope to preserve a picturesque set of mill lodges flanking Elton and Starling are staking Bury's first ever claim for common land.

The Friends of Cockey Moor, Whitehead and Parker's Lodges have lodged an application with Bury Council to have land belonging to Walshaw Estates officially devoted to public use.

They say that land around the lodges to the south of Gisburn Drive has been used for leisure pursuits for at least the last 20 years.

Recreational uses of the site include walking, fishing and horse riding, and the group are pressing for its protection status under the Commons Registration Act of 1965.

That designation would give an added mantle of protection to the site, which already has green belt status and is part of the West Pennine Moor.

The application is the first of its type to be made since Bury Metropolitan Borough was formed in 1974.

Friends group chairman Elaine Shirt said: "This is an important piece of the jigsaw in the plan we have got for the area.

"I can't see that there is a barrier to our being successful. We are calling upon the public to stand up and let it be known how well used the area has been by them for so long.

"The owners will not lose the land, but it will be secured from any threat of development in the future."

Rules will require that a public hearing be held, with a decision to be made by the council. Their verdict could later be challenged in court.

Fencing for livestock has recently been erected at the site, which is under review by the Countryside Agency for open access land status.

Bury solicitors Butcher and Barlow, who act on behalf of Walshaw Estates, could not comment for their client, who also declined to respond.

The reservoirs themselves have now been bought by the Manchester firm property firm Fact Focus, as part of a package including the former Elton Cop Dye Works.

The company says it has no immediate plans for any of the land or waters at present, but is in contact with the Friends of Cockey Moor, Whitehead and Parker's Lodges to discuss a possible meeting.

A public inquiry will be held this Thursday (Sept 12) to discuss public right way status for a footpath leading between Lowercroft Road and a farm track leading to Old Barn Farm.

Members of the public are invited to go along and have their say at the meeting, which begins at 10am, in the Peel Room, Bury Town Hall.